Hands-free flashlight assembly and harness therefor

Abstract

A flashlight assembly has a body with spaced end portions each attachable to one of two shoulder straps so that the body may be suspended across the chest of a user with its end portions level. The body includes a battery compartment and a switch, and each end portion has lugs pivotally mounting a lamp, each lamp including a reflector and a light source connectable to a battery in the compartment via the switch. The lamps are independently pivotal through at least a right angle about a horizontal axis such that with the body held in position across the user's chest, the lamps may be adjusted so that one provides a light beam capable of illuminating the ground near the user's feet while the other illuminates objects in front of the user, or alternatively so that both lamps may illuminate objects in front of the user.

Description

1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a flashlight assembly particularly for use by sportsmen, fishermen, campers, electricians, and others who need to use a flashlight in a hands-free manner while both hands are occupied with various tasks.2. Prior ArtVarious flashlights are known which are usable in a hands-free manner. Some of these can clip onto a user's belts or onto other items of clothing. Also known are safety vests or similar articles, such as belts, for road workers or joggers, which incorporate lights; however these are lights with little illuminating power, being only intended to ensure that the wearer is visible at night. Examples of such devices are shown in the following U.S. patents:U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,863, issued Jul. 18, 1989 to Gallegos;U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,323, issued Oct. 30, 1990 to Johnson et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,436, issued Dec. 3, 1991 to Alexander et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,324, issued Feb. 2, 1993 to Thomas;U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,896, is...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The Gallegos and Thomas patents show examples of devices which are fastened to, or incorporated in, a user's belt; these may be suitable for certain purposes but do not always provide the best location for a light being used by a person, for example, putting bait on a fishing hook, or repairing an article or changing a tire, for which a higher light source may be preferable.

The Johnson et al. patent shows a flashlight which has a clip and a pin allowing it to be attached to a shirt or blouse pocket; while this would allow positioning at chest level it would not seem to give a stable mounting.

In the Alexander design, the lights are only intended to make the wearer visible, and are not such as would be useful for a person wishing to work by their light.

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